Free Drawboard PDF Alternatives

The best free alternative to Drawboard PDF is Okular, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Drawboard PDF and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Drawboard PDF are Foxit Reader, Xournal++, Evince and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Drawboard PDF alternatives are mainly PDF Readers but may also be Note-taking Tools or PDF Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Drawboard PDF.

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Drawboard PDF

Paid • Proprietary
PDF Reader

Windows
iPhone
iPad

The top AEC PDF app to markup and manage drawings and documents. Ideal for replacing pen and paper, avoid printing...

Learn more about Drawboard PDF

Okular
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Ebook Reader
PDF Editor
Windows
Linux
BSD
103 alternatives to Okular
Multi-platform, fast and packed with features, Okular allows you to read PDF documents, comics and EPub books, browse images, visualize Markdown documents, and much more.
Suggest and vote on features
Okular Features
1. PDF annotationOkular support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. LightweightOkular consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Dark ModeOkular supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Text to SpeechOkular allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
5. Privacy focusedOkular is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
6. Ad-freeOkular doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Fill PDF FormsOkular supports forms in PDF files.
Text Highlighting
Tabbed interface
Customizable shortcuts
Low memory usage
Text editing
KDE
Export to PDF
Compatible with Microsoft Office
Trim margins
Multiple languages
Okular vs Drawboard PDF opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
The annotation for okular doesn't function as seamless drawing on a PDF
Negative comment•
2
Foxit Reader
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Windows S
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
ReactOS
112 alternatives to Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a free and light-weight multi-platform PDF document viewer. Its core function is compatible with PDF Standard 1.7.
Suggest and vote on features
Foxit Reader Features
1. PDF annotationFoxit Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Fill PDF FormsFoxit Reader supports forms in PDF files.
3. Sign PDF filesFoxit Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. LightweightFoxit Reader consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Support for scriptingFoxit Reader supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
6. Text to SpeechFoxit Reader allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
7. Spell CheckingFoxit Reader can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
8. PortableFoxit Reader can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Highlighter
Tablet support
Booklet printing
Print to PDF
Text Highlighting
Support for Javascript
Multiple languages
Modify filesystem timestamps
Scan to word
Tabbed interface
Bundleware
The installer tries to install McAfee WebAdvisor and PhantomPDF Business. These can be skipped by clicking Decline on each.

Foxit Reader vs Drawboard PDF opinions
Some users think Foxit Reader is a great alternative to Drawboard PDF, some don't.
violoncello
doesn't allow handwritten annotations with a stylus
Negative comment•
1

Guest
You can write into the PDF, underline text, ... Similar features to Drawboard PDF even in the free version.
Positive comment•
4

Guest
Hand written notes are note quite the same as Drawboard PDF
Negative comment•
2
Xournal++
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
37 alternatives to Xournal++
Xournal++ (a fork of Xournal) is a handwriting Notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with platform independent GTK, supporting Linux, e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Suse, macOS and Windows 10. Supports Pen input like Wacom Tablets.
Suggest and vote on features
Xournal++ Features
1. Handwritten NotesXournal++ supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationXournal++ support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. Works OfflineXournal++ can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Pressure SensitivityXournal++ can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
5. Support for LaTeXXournal++ supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
6. Ad-freeXournal++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. PortableXournal++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Support for styluses
Handwriting
Export to PDF
LaTeX Math
Pen Support
Multi layer drawing
Audio with notes
Highlighter
Freehand Writing
Auto-saving
Evince
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Linux
PortableApps.com
109 alternatives to Evince
Evince (or GNOME Document Viewer) is a document viewer for multiple document formats: PDF, Postscript, djvu, tiff, dvi, XPS, SyncTex support with gedit, comics books (cbr,cbz,cb7 and cbt) and others. See Supported Document Formats for details.
Suggest and vote on features
Evince Features
1. LightweightEvince consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PDF annotationEvince support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. PortableEvince can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Dark ModeEvince supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Ad-freeEvince doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Invert colours
Multiple languages
Handwriting recognition
Windows Compatible
Evince vs Drawboard PDF opinions
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
103 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader
View, sign, collaborate on and annotate PDF files with our free Acrobat Reader software. And to easily edit and convert your PDFs into file formats like Excel and Word, try out PDF editor and converter Acrobat Pro DC.
Suggest and vote on features
Adobe Acrobat Reader Features
1. PDF annotationAdobe Acrobat Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Fill PDF FormsAdobe Acrobat Reader supports forms in PDF files.
3. Sign PDF filesAdobe Acrobat Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
5. Dark ModeAdobe Acrobat Reader supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. LightweightAdobe Acrobat Reader consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Combine PDFCombine, merge and arrange PDF files into one document.
8. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Edit PDF
Document Annotations
Create PDF files
Multi-tabs
Adobe Acrobat Reader vs Drawboard PDF opinions
Guest
limited annotation capabilities. Cannot write directly onto pdf like in drawboard.
Negative comment•
7

violoncello
doesn't allow for handwritten annotations with a stylus
Negative comment•
0
Excalidraw
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Whiteboard
Digital Painting Tool
Mind Mapping Tool
Online
Self-Hosted
25 alternatives to Excalidraw
Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.
Suggest and vote on features
Excalidraw Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Excalidraw simultaneously.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Excalidraw without registration.
3. Dark ModeExcalidraw supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. End-to-End EncryptionExcalidraw has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Ad-freeExcalidraw doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Support for LayersExcalidraw supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
7. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
8. Privacy focusedExcalidraw is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Shared whiteboard
Interactive Whiteboard
Export to SVG
Free hand drawing
Handwriting
OpenBoard
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Whiteboard
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
59 alternatives to OpenBoard
OpenBoard is a cross-platform (Linux / Windows / macOS) interactive whiteboard application. It is currently maintained by the Education Department (DIP) of the Canton of Geneva in Switzerland.
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OpenBoard Features
1. Handwritten NotesOpenBoard supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Pressure SensitivityOpenBoard can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
3. Ad-freeOpenBoard doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeOpenBoard supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in OpenBoard simultaneously.
Interactive Whiteboard
Fullscreen support
Grease Pencil
Shared whiteboard
Freeform notes
Export to PDF
Pencil
Handwriting
Dual screen support
Integrated Web Browser
Qoppa PDF Studio
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Text to Speech Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
183 alternatives to Qoppa PDF Studio
Create, Convert, Review and Edit PDF Documents on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Suggest and vote on features
Qoppa PDF Studio Features
1. Sign PDF filesQoppa PDF Studio support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
2. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
3. Dark ModeQoppa PDF Studio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Text to SpeechQoppa PDF Studio allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
5. Combine PDFCombine, merge and arrange PDF files into one document.
6. Fill PDF FormsQoppa PDF Studio supports forms in PDF files.
7. PDF annotationQoppa PDF Studio support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Scan to PDF
Edit PDF
PDF Redaction
Convert PDF to Word document
Measurement-Tools
Create PDF files
Batch processing
Themes
Bates numbering
Integrated Search
Skim
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Note-taking Tool
Mac
75 alternatives to Skim
Skim is a PDF reader and note-taker for OS X. It is designed to help you read and annotate scientific papers in PDF, but is also great for viewing any PDF file.
Suggest and vote on features
Skim Features
1. LightweightSkim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeSkim doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. PDF annotationSkim support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Clean design
Note extraction
Export annotations
xournal
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Journaling App
Windows
Linux
49 alternatives to xournal
Xournal is an application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal using a stylus. It is free software (GNU GPL) and runs on Linux (recent distributions), Windows and other GTK+/Gnome platforms.
Suggest and vote on features
xournal Features
1. PDF annotationxournal support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Handwritten Notesxournal supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
3. Drawing Tablet Supportxournal supports the use of external drawing tablets as input devices.
Edit PDF
Support for styluses
Sketching
Discontinued
It hasn't been updated since 2017, but there is an active fork Xournal++